Description
The Opperdoezer Ronde PDO is a variety of potato with a yellow/white flesh, grown in the sandy soils around Opperdoes.
Production Area
The production area of the Opperdoezer Ronde PDO lies around the Opperdoes region, in the towns of Noorderkoggenland, Medemblik and Wieringermeer of North Holland province.
Production Method
growing takes place on slightly elevated sandy and barren soil. The first harvest, from a protected crop, is made in early May, followed by the standing crop harvest. The potatoes are harvested in summer and autumn and sold at auction. All standing crop potatoes are harvested in early September.
Appearance and Flavour
Opperdoezer Ronde PDO has a slightly irregular oval shape with pitted "eyes". The flesh is yellow/white and has a distinctive taste with low starch content.
History
The variety to which the Opperdoezer Ronde PDO belongs has been grown since 1860. It was identified by the horticulturalist Sluis, former potato grower of the Negenwekers variety, who discovered the variety, from which the Opperdoezer Ronde PDO stems, on his land. With the setting up of the auction company Ons belang in 1903, the variety began to be sold beyond the Opperdoes borders. After the merging in 1979 with the company W.F.O of Zwaagdijk, a cooperative was founded for the cultivation of seed potatoes, De Opperdoezer Ronde WA, which continues to preserve this variety and ensuring its survival.
Gastronomy
Opperdoezer Ronde PDO should be kept out of the light but avoiding total darkness to prevent shoots. This vegetable, eaten cooked, is used in many culinary preparations. It can be cooked in many different ways: boiled, seasoned with melted butter, or roasted as a side dish to meat or fish dishes, or even fried.
Marketing
The product is sold as Opperdoezer Ronde PDO. It is marketed loose or in bags of various weights.
Distinctive Features
The particular flavour of Opperdoezer Ronde PDO is given, in addition to the specific characteristics of the variety, by the distinctiveness of the sandy and barren soil in which it is grown.
